POST-UPHEAVAL FUTURE
Gerudo Town, Riju's Room
In a desk in a corner, Urbosa flipped through the historical records of her people, starting where she knew it had split off from her own.
"I see we have similar tastes in voe, Shirana…" She chuckled while looking at a painting from her late daughterU's stored memorabilia, "It will be hard to pretend not to know…"
Her stay in Post-Upheaval Gerudo Town had been informative. Though she had only been in the town itself for a relatively short time.
The changes in the desert had piqued her interest. She wound up having Buliara show her all the way to the Lightning Temple and tell her about the Sand Shroud and Riju's awakening as a Sage.
When she got to town, she was introduced as "Jolene", a warrior/historian who wished to compile information on the history of their tribe.
The name had come from ImpaU, while the story was to fit her purposes. It was what allowed her access to all the records she was now viewing. Buliara had assured the rest of them that "Jolene" had permission from Riju.
Shirana had had a daughter named Neleri, who had tragically died young of a sudden illness, leaving Riju behind.
Through the palace staff, Urbosa had heard from Riju about her mother's passing, but knowing her name and coming to grips with who exactly she was made it feel more personal. This was someone she would be holding in her arms in a number of years as a grandmother if she lived long enough, after all.
Speaking of Neleri, it was time to look at her belongings. Something Riju had yet to do herself.
Urbosa had been made aware of Riju's plight that she had discussed with Shirana and Vistro over in the Post-Calamity Future and had come to the same conclusion. You truly have dedicated subordinates to know you so well…
"I hope you don't mind my meddling, Riju… I might not get another chance to repay my debt for the Calamity…"
Kakariko Village, Graveyard
ImpaU stood looking down at a gravestone.
"Um…" ImpaC was unsure of what to say.
"Give me a moment. You were the one who insisted we talk, after all."
The arrival at Kakariko Village had already been eventful. Transformation Techniques were useless within the village due to spells laid down as an additional Anti-Yiga measure.
This meant the two Shiekah from the Post-Calamity had to disguise normally. Temporary dye and other physical alterations to appear more Hylian.
Unlike the others, they couldn't use "outsider" personas since the Shiekah was a tribe devoted to the Hyrule Royal family, meaning all of them remained in Hyrule and many of them knew each other.
Although, every fellow Sheikah adult here was actually privy to their true identities. It was the Hylians and Sheikah children who were introduced to them as the merchants "Kafei" and "Anju".
Both of them had never expected the village to change so radically. Paya had apparently made it more open to tourism, making use of the "Ring Ruins" that fell during the Upheaval.
After a brief tour of different ruins and a Zonai Device dispenser near the village, ImpaC had asked ImpaU to talk in private.
"I can infer what you want. I'm guessing Ertis wishes to leave us alone? Before any of that, follow me…"
That led to where they were now.
"If there are things you simply must have me tell you…" ImpaU finally turned to them, "I'll tell you not to be afraid of change or intimacy. Not just with each other, but with your daughter… Viana"
She had hoped to let them work things out themselves, but if there was some wisdom she could impart…
"Oversee her training, teach her caution, show her love and make all the time you can for her…"
"Wait… what…?" ImpaC began, but Ertis put a hand on her shoulder, looking at the grave before them.
"The grave. Is it hers?"
"Her and her husband." ImpaU answered, "It was sudden. They saved the village and ensured we survived for Link's arrival… but that does nothing to ease the loss of your child."
"Oh…" Eris began to cry, cursing how his empathy tended to backfire on him in moments like this.
"I…" We are at peace now… but they were fighting for a whole hundred years longer…
ImpaC had heard the story of how the Calamity had unfolded and been resolved here. The events of the Upheaval that may still shake her own Hyrule had taken up most of her mind, but she couldn't forget that the Calamity had left unmistakable scars on more than just the Champions.
Many lives had been lost, and any safety the settlements enjoyed for the next century was built on the blood and sacrifice of the warriors left behind. Her own daughter included…
"How old was Paya?" She asked.
"Quite young. No more than 6. That's something else," ImpaU noted, "Never make it so you have to tell your grandchild why her parents are never coming back. The day I had to do that… it made me question what I was doing it all for."
Impa, no matter the timeline, was loyal and dutiful almost to a fault. That anything made her question it meant it had an unmistakable impact.
"If you have anything more to ask, I will be at my residence."
ImpaU left, but ImpaC and Ertis stayed behind a while, standing at the grave.
"I wonder what she was like…" Ertis murmured.
"I intend to find out." ImpaC took his hand, "When this is over, let's have the ceremony. I'm done hesitating. We'll meet Viana over there, then Paya. They'll grow up in a time of peace, and we'll make sure they keep strong regardless."
Hyrule was peaceful now. She found it difficult to shed her warrior mentality, even situationally. The Calamity and the years leading up to it didn't allow her the luxury.
But ImpaU had found a way to do it in times of war and unrest, and gained so much. Things it pained her to lose, but also things that kept her going.
"Heh… there's the forward-facing warrior woman I fell for!" Ertis wiped his eyes, "Is there anything else you want to ask her?"
"No. I've got my answer, and I'm pretty sure my older self knows it." She smiled, "Figures I would know exactly what I needed to be told…"
Zora's Domain
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, FATHER?!"
A room in the palace had been arranged for "Lady Oren" and after spending a night there she was finally in a private area with the Exalted Dorephan and Muzu.
"I never told anyone, how did...I mean, why…?!"
"Mipha! Please calm yourself!"
"But even if you found out, how could you tell everyone?!"
"I didn't…" Dorephan sighed, "I only ever told SidonU. Truth be told, the DorephanC in your time knows as well."
He was positive of that. He had known his daughter's feelings long before the Calamity.
"Lady Mipha, his Highness never even told me until Sir Link appeared before us again. Even then i only believed it when I saw how perfectly the armor was tailored to him…" Muzu explained.
"After that… The knowledge spread on its own. It was hard to otherwise explain the armor to the people. Although SidonU wasn't exactly reserved about the fact after that either…"
"SidonU, you absolute fool…" She was beginning to calm down, but couldn't help but utter that last part, "Wait! Does that mean LinkU…?!"
"Yes… Though he is devoted to the Princess, he misses you greatly, and treasures the armor. You have nothing to be ashamed of, my daughter."
It was then Yona entered with Tidon cradeled in one arm, two thin notebooks in the other. She had just been explaining to the people that King Sidon would be absent for a few days at most.
"I must apologize. I had no idea you wished it to be secret…" She gave a brief bow, "I hope you can forgive me."
"Oh, it isn't your doing. I suppose I overreacted…"
"Not at all. By the way, there is something i wish to discuss with you. Perhaps you could join us on an outing? We can talk when we reach our destination…"
"Are you sure? It has been almost a day already."
The Gate would be functional in about 4 hours. Their trip had been on the longer side. Mipha's initial distress had meant she went to sleep as soon as the sun had set to try to calm her nerves.
"I've notified the Princess. The ones decided on to go through the Gate will be her father, Tulin, Link, Lady Paya and Lady Impa. After that we will have another 18 hours at least. SidonU has already accounted for this." Yona gave her the information, "We have time, worry not."
Mipha would be staying a while longer, it seemed. So would the other Champions. LinkU and LinkC would be swapping.
Rito Village, Gale Brigade HQ
In a Semi-Large Building between the village and the Flight Range was the Headquarters of the Gale Brigade. Like Lookout Landing, it was actually an encirclement of several smaller wooden buildings like Weapon Storage, Food Storage, Barracks, and the Private Rooms of Tulin and his Lieutenants. Most of the Lower-Ranking members had homes of their own in the Village.
In a briefing room that was usually headed by Tulin, Teba had brought his Lieutenants with his guest to have a private discussion.
"What I'm about to tell you does not leave this room." He told them sternly, "It involves the whereabouts of Tulin."
Not a word was said in response. All three of them knew to simply listen.
Teba then divulged to them what had happened to him before the Upheaval. Being called to the past, assisting Master Revali, creating the alternate future, finding Tulin….
"We've heard about that from the Captain." Skiy finally spoke, "And he says that was just a crazy dream he had!"
"Forgive me, Elder… but it is rather unbelievable. Besides, what does that have to do with where he is now?" Dofi brought up.
"Wait… Captain Tulin vanished in a flash of light…" Gyas seemed to realize.
"Indeed. Revali?" When Teba said his actual name, Revali deactivated his Camo Coin. Teba also handed him his Great Eagle Bow.
Gyas' calm demeanor broke, Dofi gasped and Skiy looked confused.
"Who is this?" Skiy asked.
"You dolt! He said 'Revali', and he suits the description perfectly!" Dofi slapped Skiy upside the head for his ignorance.
To be fair, not many people knew what Revali actually looked like. Only a few books had physical descriptions.
"It's such an honor to meet you, sir!" Gyas offered a handshake, "To think our captain's dream was actually real, and you are actually here!"
"So wait, the Captain is…?" Dofi began.
"There is a Gate at an undisclosed location connecting our two times. Crossings are currently limited, but in a few hours Tulin will be among the first to come home." Teba informed them, "He gave permission to tell you all of this. Until he returns, he has put Gyas in charge."
"Hey! Not cool! I…"
"His orders, Skiy. Accept them."
Tarrey Town
ZeldaU entered a medium-sized eatery called the Red Lion as LinkC waited outside. The owner was a Zora named Rawson who greeted her with a beaming smile.
"Your Highness! Thank you for granting us this honor!"
He had been expecting her arrival. She had actually been summoned to meet someone.
"Is he here?"
"Ya mean Nohanson? He's over there with the boss!"
ZeldaU looked over to the bar area and saw what was probably the last thing she ever expected to see in her lifetime.
King Rhoam Bhosphoramus Hyrule not as a dignified king, a gentle old man, or a forceful parent… but as a laughing, boisterous patron.
His hood was down, but none would guess his identity. His hair and beard were unkempt and his demeanor unpolished. His arm was slung around a laughing Hudson like two work buddies.
"Fa… Sir Nohanson?!"
"Ah! Zelda! This is a fine town you have here!" He roared before suddenly remembering himself, "Er… I mean… I'm sorry, Hudson, could we get some privacy?"
"Sure, man! Son and done! I'll get ya a room to discuss your business!"
"I appreciate you meeting me here. I realize this device can't be handed out to just anyone."
King Rhoam had wished to traverse freely while the Champions visited their respective homes. He was given a PPL with a feature that allowed him to be tracked by and send small messages (about a short sentence) to ZeldaU's Purah Pad.
"It came at a good time. We need to be at the Gate in another few hours, and you are one of the top priorities for that, father."
"Right… I will admit, I wish I could stay longer…" He smiled wistfully, "It was kind of… liberating to enjoy Hyrule as a normal man, not as it's ruler."
That explained the behavior Zelda had seen earlier. Her father had seen what he'd wanted to see, and somewhere along the way began to treat it like a vacation he could otherwise never have. It wasn't just Zelda constrained by the pressures of royalty.
"Forgive me… I never realized…"
"It's fine. Much if it is my own doing." He settled down, deciding yo get a few things off his chest, "I wasn't always a royal, you know? I was the second son of a noble house of knights. I took on additional burdens myself when I was a young man."
"You did? Why?" Zelda had been born into her position. As she knew it, it wasn't something she would choose for herself.
"I started studying, training, more than I was asked. I put everything else aside… and I really don't regret it in the slightest. That's because the reason I did it was I had fallen in love with the princess." He smiled, "If I wanted her hand, I had to prove myself. As well as be prepared to become King."
"You mean mother, don't you?' ZeldaU had never heard this. She knew more about her father now than she did before the Calamity, but she never considered who he had been before he was King.
"Of course. Likewise, I see Link has proven himself much in the eyes of the people here…" His eyes narrowed at her, and she froze.
"You… you are aware?"
"It's hard not to hear about it when the two of you come up. I heard you even live together in two separate homes! I've seen them both!"
Link had two homes. His family home un Hateno, and one near Tarrey Town he had made during the Upheaval. He shared both with Zelda, which was convenient for how much they traveled.
This was something ZeldaU had failed totake into account when she allowed her friends from the Post-Calamity to explore. There were things they might not like, such as how their diaries were found and read, secrets and personal details…
Roam turned away, taking a seemingly angry sip of his glass.
"Father, I apologize! But Link has supported me all this time of his own accord! He's not just a knight! He has his own personality, virtues and…"
"I KNOW THAT!" It was quiet, but forceful, "All these things you were perfectly comfortable telling Rauru about…"
"Oh…" I see… I had his feelings all wrong.
It wasn't any lack of approval of her relationship with Link. It was because she had seemingly hidden it from him.
This was apparently compounded by realizing that, during the memory pool viewing, he had seen her have the kind of relationship with Rauru and Sonia he wished he could have given her with himself and his own wife, her actual parents.
"I… I'm sorry. I suppose I haven't been fair to you in that regard… Is it okay?"
"He's certainly different from the LinkC we know…"
"That is how he truly is. When he initially had no memory, he lost all those old habits he built up as my knight… Just as you act when you aren't a king!"
"I see. Hopefully my daughterC can bring out that side of him once… things are handled…" He sighed, "I noticed, by the way. But they are holding back in my time. Is it… because of me?"
"I can't say for certain, but it certainly isn't all you…" ZeldaU assured him. She would at least know that much, "I hope you don't worry… How… was your exploration of Hyrule?"
She hoped to change the topic. He obliged.
"It was interesting. I saw my own diary in the castle, which wasn't half as surreal as standing before my own grave." He noted, "The islands in the sky and the chasms… hard to believe such secrets lay about our Kingdom for so long. But… the most pleasant thing was this town."
"Tarrey Town?"
"There is no place like it in my own Hyrule. The 'son' names are certainly odd, but no place I've ever seen has the races of Hyrule living together in such harmony!"
It was true. Most towns and villages had majorities of one race with the occasional tourist or odd resident from another mixed in.
They all got along with no discrimination, but each usually had a preferred environment to live in.
"This location… high enough for the Rito, surrounded by enough water for the Zora, near enough to a mining location for the Gorons, with enough land and space for Gerudo and Hylians. I even saw that Korok, Hestu, among them!"
Not everyone could see Hestu, but he liked to travel.
"I can't believe no one in the Kingdom thought of this place for a town like this before! This man Hudson is truly brilliant, and a loyal subject of yours!"
Hudson Construction was one of the biggest contributors to the reconstruction efforts. His odd hiring policy around names still stood, but there were apparently more people who fit the bill than one would think.
That said, an interracial city likely wasn't part of his initial aim with Tarrey Town from what LinkU had told her. Just a happy coincidence.
"I'm glad you like it! You say you stopped by Hateno, too?"
"Ah yes… about that… are you headed there soon?"
"Well…" ZeldaU paused, "I was planning to head back once things have settled."
Things were busy right now. Plus LinkC was having enough trouble hearing about their relationship here. Would he be able to handle learning they lived together? She had even avoided going by their house near Tarrey Town for that reason.
"I implore you to go… Terrako is there."
"WHAT?!" She couldn't sit down at that revelation, "How?! And why didn't you bring it here?!"
"It seems to be asleep… or more like…" He hesitated, "Anyway, it is in the possession of a family of people new to the village. They have taken to waiting in front of your home. They seem to have a mission to return it to you."
He didn't say their names. He actually hadn't found out that detail. He had no way of realizing who they actually were, just as they didn't know who he was when he approached them.
"They insisted they could only give it to you. Though they did give me this… it seems Terrako had fallen from the sky near their home outside of Hyrule 6 years ago, played a message giving them a mission and shut down. It held…this."
He showed her the thing Terrako had been gripping in Hateno thar the family had let him take, with the promise that he would show the princess or one of her associates if he saw them.
A large scale, glimmering with sacred energy. A scale that must have once been one of ZeldaU's…
"How…how could that…?"
"I will meet you at the Gate. Once we have the other LinkU here, go to Hateno."
There wasn't enough time to head there now. They had to be at the Gate in less than 2 hours now…
POST-CALAMITY FUTURE
Hyrule Castle, Throne Room
ZeldaC, LinkU, Paya, Josha and Tauro watched Tulin rush into the room. Much had occurred that he needed to be informed of, but he had something to tell them first.
He held what appeared to be a Zonai Battery with a green glow. He had found it on the Stormwind Ark where his Secret Stone should have been, and he guessed that it was the same in the other temples.
Except the Spirit Temple.
When he told them this, they decided to hear him out before telling him how Paya had thwarted an attempt by the Yiga to enter beneath Hyrule Castle.
"This battery holds memories. Or more like recordings, I guess…? They're Terrako's, and it sent itself to the age of Hyrule's Founding, just like ZeldaU!"
"Wait, what?!" This was the first ZeldaC had heard of herselfU doing such a thing.
"I think I should show you at the Gate with the others… It's a lot to take in…"
Yiga Clan Hideout
Crowl mumbled as he viewed a sketch. His Gloom had started resonating with something. Deep beneath Hyrule Castle it called to him.
He knew who it was. He needed to get there. He had enlisted some of Raiga's group to try to take him there, but the Sheikah had anticipated that move and repelled their attempts.
He needed to split their attention. He had awakened a new aspect of his Gloom. He would use it to target four individuals. He'd had his accomplices draw what they looked like.
A Small Goron Child.
A Young Zora Prince.
A Newborn Rito Chick.
A Young Adult Gerudo.
Rupon, SidonC, Medali, and Shirana. Personal targets he wouldn't mind finishing off for their relation to very hated foes…
TO BE CONTINUED…
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